By Ifeanyi Omeje
Enugu – The recent increase in attacks by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Enugu has been linked to the lack of preparedness for leadership on the part of the state governor, Peter Mbah. This surge in attacks follows the governor’s announcement three weeks ago to end the Sit-at-home order in the state. According to the Oriental Lawyers for Justice (OLJ), a civil society organization based in Enugu, there have been eight kidnappings in the capital over the past two weeks. Additionally, the New Haven station of the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Company, owned by the governor, was attacked last week.
The OLJ argues that these security issues highlight Governor Mbah’s lack of leadership skills and preparedness for his role. They claim that despite his loss in the recent election, those who supported him misrepresented his capabilities as a clear-headed leader focused on steering the state in the right direction. In a statement signed by President JohnBosco Aninwede and Secretary Mrs. Ifeoma Ejike, the OLJ suggests that if the governor had adequately prepared for his position, he would have learned from the experiences of neighboring Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Yesterday, an extensive demonstration took place with hundreds of commercial drivers expressing their discontent over the recent surge of kidnappings occurring on the Enugu-Nsukka Road. This protest was organized in response to the alarming occurrence of three kidnappings that took place last week, specifically on Thursday.
The statement highlights Governor Soludo’s announcement of a war against so-called freedom fighters in the bush during his inaugural speech in March 2022. Unfortunately, this led to an unprecedented rise in attacks by IPOB members across Anambra State. The OLJ particularly mentions the bombing of the Aguata Local Government Area headquarters in Governor Soludo’s hometown of Isuofia. By drawing this comparison, the OLJ emphasizes the need for Governor Mbah to demonstrate effective leadership and learn from the experiences of his counterparts to address the escalating security challenges in Enugu.
The Oriental Lawyers for Justice (OLJ) has held the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) responsible for the attack on Governor Mbah’s private petroleum firm. The OLJ states that the perpetrators arrived in a large number of tricycles and were armed with rifles, charms, and the recognizable red headband worn by IPOB’s military wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). It is widely believed that the targeting of Mbah’s company, Pinnacle, is a direct result of his actions against IPOB.
The civil society organization further reveals that Simeon Ekpa, a prominent IPOB leader based in Finland, openly ridiculed Governor Mbah for lacking legitimacy due to his loss in the Enugu governorship election. This revelation underscores the ongoing tensions between IPOB and the governor, perhaps suggesting a motive behind the attacks on Mbah’s business.
The OLJ and various sources maintain that the recent spike in IPOB attacks in Enugu is a direct consequence of Governor Mbah’s actions and policies, which have seemingly provoked the ire and retaliatory measures from IPOB members. The organization highlights the significance of these incidents and aims to raise awareness about the urgent need for leadership and security measures to address the escalating situation.
It is crucial for authorities and governing bodies to take note of these developments as they seek to understand the motives and dynamics at play. The OLJ’s statement serves as a reminder that the actions and decisions of political figures can have a reverberating impact, warranting immediate attention and strategic responses to restore peace and stability in the affected region.
The lawyers put forth a compelling argument, questioning the decision of the governor to abruptly cancel the enforced stay-at-home order in the Southeast without sufficient security measures in place. They emphasized that addressing deep-rooted insecurity requires a collaborative effort and cannot be effectively handled by a single individual.
Drawing attention to the governor’s actions, the Oriental Lawyers for Justice highlighted that despite the cancellation of the order by nonstate actors, the governor had only appointed Professor Chidiebere Onyia as the Secretary to the State Government, leaving other positions in his administration vacant. This lack of a complete cabinet further raises concerns about the governor’s ability to effectively manage the security situation.
Interestingly, it was only after the governor commenced the implementation of the order, which failed in its first week, that he considered consulting stakeholders in the state. The lawyers noted that the governor reached out to various groups such as traders, transporters, religious leaders, traditional rulers, students, and town union officers to brief them on his plans. This belated attempt at seeking input from key stakeholders indicates a lack of proactive decision-making and highlights the need for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to address the security challenges.
In light of these observations, the lawyers highlighted the importance of proactive leadership that takes into account the concerns and expertise of various stakeholders. They suggest that a more consultative approach, coupled with the presence of robust security forces and a complete cabinet, would be vital in successfully tackling the pervasive insecurity issues in the Southeast region.
According to reports, it has been claimed that Mbah, a public figure and politician, was promoted by his handlers in a manner exceeding his actual capabilities and knowledge. They allegedly sought to impress the public by highlighting his personal wealth and his audacious promise to boost the economy of Enugu from $4 billion to $30 billion within a span of four years. However, these claims were not backed up by any concrete plans on how he intended to achieve such an ambitious feat.
In the opinion of legal professionals, while they do not support the actions of the IPOB, a secessionist group known for its violent tendencies and the imposition of a weekly curfew in the Southeast region, they believe Mbah took the wrong approach in attempting to undermine the group. Their argument lies in his apparent lack of leadership skills, which led to an ineffective response.
The lawyers further argued that if Mbah had genuinely won the gubernatorial election held on March 18, he would have approached the situation in a more thoughtful and strategic manner. Instead, they claim, he resorted to knee-jerk reactions in an attempt to gain acceptance from the people of Enugu, who had overwhelmingly rejected him and his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, in the 2023 general elections.